The deeper meaning of making pierogi online
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No. 12(18), April 2020
The deeper meaning
of making pierogi
online
This special (and especially rich) issue of CMR
Spotlight is devoted to… you guessed it:
migrants in times of Covid-19.
Much has been said in Western Europe about
the shortage of seasonal migrants. Our
authors present the perspective of a sending
country (Poland), which also simultaneously
happens to be a receiving country (for
Ukrainian migrants) (article by Kamila
Fiałkowska and Kamil Matuszczyk - page 2).
We also look more broadly at what the
© Alexey Hulsov
pandemic may mean for Ukrainian migration
to Poland (article by Marta Jaroszewicz - page
7), as well as for the internally displaced
within Ukraine (article by Kateryna
Krakhmalova - page 12).
Last but not least, the epidemic has
influenced the family and community lives of
us all. A group of CMR researchers who focus
on Roma migrations looked at the
transnational practices of the Roma since the
lockdown and community-building online.
Would you like to know how an e-Easter may
be superior
1 to a traditional one? (article on
page 16).
Essential workers hands for work
Kamila Fiałkowska and Kamil Matuszczyk
The almost immediate closing of the borders in workers per se and how much it is about essential
the face of the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in hands for work.
panic mobility of those returning home to “Help feed the nation” – which nation?
Bulgaria, Moldova, Poland, Romania and Ukraine. With the borders becoming an obstacle (a
Many of them work in so-called unskilled jobs nouveau thing for a generation/s of EU born
(which usually ties in with low wages, long hours citizens, even those in the Central and Eastern
of work, high precarity due to often informal work Europe), countries well known for their reliance
arrangements, and many more intersecting on migrant labour especially in agriculture were
factors which impact the temporary migrant considering various solutions – from engaging
workers’ position) in the EU-pandemic hit gastronomy employees, who otherwise were
countries. The migrants’ sudden departure, and major recipients of home grown produce, to
their enduring absence due to closed borders, employing refugees and asylum seekers and
instantly de-invisibilised them and rendered finally to relying on home-grown labour. “Help
valued, important and essential to certain sectors feed the nation” in the UK or “The country helps.
of the economies of Germany, Austria, France and Together for the agriculture and us all” (Germany)
the UK. For now, we observe that amid the strict platforms were established where volunteers
closure of the borders to minimise mobility and were registering with the local farms and
the spread of the pandemic (but also delimiting declaring their willingness to work during the
who is eligible for state protection, that is the harvesting season. The dramatic appeal of the
citizens and limited groups of non-citizens) German farmers caused some to start a petition
exemptions were made for those who are on avaaz.org aimed at the decision makers who
deemed essential, yet seemingly can afford to closed the border for seasonal farmworkers. The
take the risk of mobility. For instance, the seasonal line of reasoning clearly demonstrates that,
farmworkers are listed among workers who are although grateful for some 16,000 volunteers who
critically important to the everyday functioning of signed up for work, the farmers annually need
otherwise pandemic-paralysed economies. This is some 300,000 workers. In fact, not just workers.
why (and we are not able to tackle all of the The petition clearly states that the agriculture
reasons) there is an inherent paradox in the needs 300,000 commodified Eastern Europeans
discourse on essential workers, which makes us to the rescue of endangered harvests, for which,
wonder how much it really is about the essential as it estimates, some 600,000 to 800,000 Germans
could substitute. These farmers quickly realised
2
they cannot count on home-grown “hands for been labelled by some farmers, a “corona-free” work”. The “Help feed the nation” call was rather operation. futile. Not only is the local population Out of sight, out of mind unaccustomed to hard physical labour on The new arrivals are supposed to undergo a asparagus or strawberry plantations, and even quarantine − half of the housing capacities can be with their good will could not be considered core used and teams of workers should work in labour for harvest time. Farmers have also gotten separation (already, there are voices from the used to a pool of cheap, undemanding and workers about the fictious character of these hardworking (also easily exploitable) workers measures), so that the newly arrived do not from Eastern Europe. mingle with those who arrived earlier. It is unclear When this was realised (and it was even before it what will happen in case of Covid-19 infections, as was said out loud), the race with time, for the health insurance for seasonal migrants is limited. workers but also against other countries, began. The workers are tied to one employer without The petition’s authors urged for a re-opening of right to change, the duration of the contract also borders to seasonal farmworkers since that would depends on the employer, as it is up to them to best serve the wellbeing of the nation by ensuring organise a return journey for the workers. In light food security during the pandemic. It would be of all that, and knowing that agriculture is work- unsustainable to import food which could be intensive and exploitative to migrant farm locally grown, and also impossible, because workers under regular circumstances, with fewer countries that Germany most likely would import workers on the fields the working conditions are produce from are also lacking workers for the very likely to be even more exploitative, with increased same reason. Therefore, it was important that pressure on workers to intensify efforts, work Germany, out of patriotic duty, reopen the border longer hours with no days off. for farmworkers, to manage their recruitment All of this is possible and is normalised on a regular before other countries do a similar thing. basis because migrant farmworkers are not Germany did open the border for seasonal farm performing their work in view of the host workers. As of the end of March, the Polish population. On the contrary, their long hours of Embassy informed that Poles were exempt from work, physical pain, exhaustion and oftentimes the restrictions on entering the country. The poor living conditions and exploitation at the Polish internet is full of job adverts “no skills workplace are invisibilized, as they take place in necessary, no German necessary, work in the peripheries of rural communities, on the agriculture available, start as soon as possible”. plantations far from the everyday commutes of Soon after, we saw hundreds of people in the average citizen. The only moment when Romania boarding planes from Cluj-Napoca to “hands for work” are in touch with hands of Germany. In April and May, some 80,000 workers customers are in the greengrocery, where the will be allowed to enter the country. Seeing the freshly picked fruits are available to customers, arrivals of people from Eastern Europe, the who usually know little about the process of farmers are relieved − “hands for work” have agricultural mass food production. The other arrived to “help feed the nation”, in what has moment are the rare days during the week when 3
farm workers arrive at the local supermarket for As the asparagus season is fully fledged and the
grocery shopping. Then only the local population strawberry about to begin, the would-be workers
meet the seasonal farm workers, see them in Poland exchange doubts and opinions on the
walking across the aisles in a hurry. Their de- internet whether to go or not to go. Most of the
invisibilised presence is ambiguously welcomed voices come from people who are supposed to
by the locals. start work in the beginning of May, so their
It is not uncommon to live in an overcrowded anxiety is huge. They complain about vague
rusty living container, where the workers’ only information from the intermediaries regarding
asylum is a mattress, giving them some 2 square working and living conditions on the farms during
meters of privacy. Showers and bathrooms do not the pandemic. Some know people who are
provide that, water is usually cold and there is a already employed, who convey messages about
queue so one needs to rush and make space for the current situation on the farms which import
the next person. During the high season, the day “hands for work” from Poland and Romania. A
starts as early as 3.30-4.00 am and ends at 9.00 driver, who operates on address-to-address basis,
pm. There is no time to lose as strawberries are informed us about his planned route to Germany
ripping on the field. If the farm does not provide with the strawberry pickers, but he was unsure if
meals, one need to remember to prepare food this would not be cancelled as the plantation he
every day in advance, for the whole day at the was heading to allegedly had three people with
plantation. Workers also must remember to buy Covid-19 symptoms.
bottled water or carry the drinking tap water with New immigration country – no immigration
them because employers all too often do not country?
provide it, even during the heat waves. All the While Polish workers head to Germany (among
farm workers on the asparagus or strawberry other countries) for seasonal labour, there is an
plantations know this, internalise it, deal with it on enduring shortage of farm workers in Poland.
their own terms and count the days to the Polish farmers, for at least a decade now, know
contract’s end when return to normality is that their harvests, similarly to their counterparts
possible (more on everyday life of strawberry in Germany, depends on seasonal migrant
pickers here). farmworkers, mainly from Ukraine, whose
presence in Poland has intensified after 2014.
Only in 2017, there were over 525,000 temporary
migrants (many of whom worked in agriculture),
much more than in the US, Canada or Australia,
which are typically seen as exemplary in recruiting
seasonal migrant workers.
As of the end of March, the data of the Ministry of
Family, Labour and Social Policy states that 13,640
persons were thus far granted a seasonal work
permit, with over 108,000 applications submitted.
Housing containers in Germany © Kamila Fiałkowska As the farming and harvesting season slowly
4
begins, these (and many more in forthcoming Until recently, these were sent to Ukrainian
months) are the people awaited by the Polish workers through the bus drivers, who were acting
farmers. However, the outbreak of the Covid-19 as informal brokers in finding job offers for
pandemic and the closure of the borders, Ukrainians in Poland. What is more, Polish
introduced in a somewhat chaotic manner by both consulates in Ukraine are not operating; thus visas
Ukrainian and Polish authorities, resulted in panic are not issued, and without valid documents
mobility of many thousands of Ukrainian citizens stating their right to work in Poland they cannot
heading home. Meanwhile, dramatic appeals enter the country under pandemic mobility-
appear every day in the media and on the restriction measures. Additionally, as of
websites of local food producers, who face the 28.04.2020 the Ukrainian foreign Minister, Dmitry
prospect that their crops will rot in the field and Kuleba, apparently pressured by the major
are desperate for hands for work. Phone Ukrainian migrants receiving countries, made a
conversations with farmers growing strawberries statement that Ukraine will not facilitate the
and apples in the “orchard heart of Europe” (near organization of charter flights for the migrant
Warsaw) clearly show that the problem is serious. workers. Until now such planes were scheduled to
The uncertainty about this year’s harvest is depart to Finland, Germany, and England (and
related to the (non)arrival of employees from perhaps more locations) and it is uncertain if they
across the Eastern border and is compounded by will take off. This position may be reconsidered,
a severe drought. depending on the development of pandemic in
respective countries but also the economic
situation in Ukraine. The uncertainty among
farmers, who now have to do all the work
themselves, is compounded by the lack of
proposals for government solutions. While the
farmers’ plea seems not to be heard, the coming
weeks are crucial, as it is the key time to complete
formalities for seasonal workers and commence
work on the plantations. With the absence of
seasonal migrant farm workers, one farmer
managed to attract some local women (i.e. Poles
Strawberry plantation in Poland © Kamil Matuszczyk living in the area) to work on weeding the
According to the Polish government anti-crisis strawberries, but they are not interested in
shield, only those Ukrainians who return to Poland harvesting the fruit, which will take place in a few
as their habitual place of residence, to join the weeks.
family, who already have the documents stating In the run for the cheap foreign hands for work
their right to work or those having the Card of the under the pandemic, Poland is clearly losing, as
Pole can enter Poland. The problem now lies in the Czechia, Germany or the Scandinavian countries
fact that would-be workers cannot get their are opening up to these employees more and
documents, confirming their future employment. more clearly. There are no “hands for work” to
5“help feed the nation”. The home-grown are the sun) currently with the Covid-19 infection at
helping another nation, and the foreign are not the forefront of a work hazard. Conversations
here. with migrants clearly show that they, regardless of
The crisis was here, but we chose not to see it the state of the pandemic, are still interested in
Although some countries are attempting to coming to work in Poland.
activate certain groups of native workers (e.g. The conditions of employment of foreign farm
retirees, the unemployed, students, industry workers under the pandemic only reveal the long
workers most affected by pandemics) to work in existing structural inequalities illustrating the
agriculture, one should not expect a sudden divide between the old and new EU member
reshuffle among seasonal workers. Work on states (while the EU and non-EU disparities are
harvesting fruit or vegetables is rightly referred to even more accentuated). The migrant farm
as 3D (dirty, dangerous, degrading) and, as one of workers are now (and every year) crucial for
the owners of the strawberry plantations said, "it maintaining the agricultural food production, yet
is only hunger and the need for quick income that their position proves more precarious than ever −
causes Ukrainians to decide on taking up such with limited health security, excessive work
exhausting work". In a pandemic-accentuated demands, minimum wage, severe restrictions and
economic crisis, for many Eastern Europeans this dependence on the employer. The very fact that
clearly is survival mobility, and the earnings in the core workforce of the European agri-food
Poland and further West, while not attractive to production is based on the undervalued,
the local populations, are meaningful income for overworked and underpaid seasonal migrant
them. Work, however, comes with increased, yet workers, often with limited legal rights and
often neglected, risks to life and health (physically difficulties in regularizing their temporary migrant
exhausting work from dawn to dusk, at status, should signal an endemic crisis to the
temperatures reaching over 40 degrees Celsius in mechanisms of food production in much of the EU
member states. It is not a new crisis, it was here
long ago, but now this crisis is even more acute.
Suggested citation: Fiałkowska, K. & Matuszczyk, K., 2020, Essential workers hands for work, CMR Spotlight, 12(18), 2-6.
sential hands for work, CMR Spotlight, 12(18), 2-8.
Kamila Fiałkowska
Researcher at the Centre of Migration Research, University of Warsaw. Her research interests revolve
around gender relations in migratory settings, masculinity studies and family relations, construction of
national and gender identities. Involved in the study of Polish Roma migrations to Germany and Great
Britain and temporary migrations (e.g. of seasonal farm workers).
Kamil Matuszczyk
PhD student and Faculty of Political Science and International Studies (public policy) and research assistant
at Centre of Migration Research, University of Warsaw. He completed MA in social policy (2016). His
research interests revolve around contemporary labour migration, population policy, ageing society and
long-term care.
6
Both authors are involved in the Global Labour in Rural Societies (GLARUS) project:
https://www.ntnu.no/iss/global-labour-in-rural-societiesUkrainian migrants in Poland and the Covid-19 epidemic:
problems at the border, economisation versus
securitisation?
Marta Jaroszewicz (collaboration: Jan Grzymski)
The eruption of the Covid-19 epidemic in Poland extending the legal stay and work, discrimination
and the EU, but foremost new restrictions on on the part of receiving societies.
mobility have created unprecedentedly altered 5 000 000
conditions of stay and travel for Ukrainian 4 500 000
migrants in Poland. They have also formed 4 000 000
essentially new research questions and dilemmas
3 500 000
for studying migration. Among them the most
3 000 000
fundamental in the Polish context are: whether
2 500 000
circular migration can endure harsh border
2 000 000
crossing restrictions; to which extent
1 500 000
economisation will remain the dominating
discourse narrative in speaking and acting about 1 000 000
Ukrainian migrants in Poland? 500 000
Never in recent history have EU member states 0
Border crossings From Poland To Poland
closed their borders so drastically, never have – total
they imposed such restrictions on internal 1st quarter of 2019 1st quarter of 2020
mobility. The outbreak of Covid-19 has largely
rendered mobility of people the main vector of Border crossings of the Poland-Ukraine border, comparison
of 1st quarter of 2019 and 2020. Data of Border Guard of
spreading the infectious coronavirus, and
Poland.
subsequently securitized it to an incomparable First of all, in EU countries we can observe a de
degree. This has led to governments prioritising facto suspension of asylum seekers’ admission on
their own citizens in protecting again Covid-19, at the EU territory, which has put many migrants in
the expense of other nationalities. All those a security vacuum (Litzkow 2020). On the other
factors have put populations at large at different hand, a majority of EU member states still require
risks, with migrants sharing the risks of general foreign labour, and automatically extend their
populations, but also encountering specific ones residence and work permits and even organise
like: difficulties in reaching their country of origin, new channels of entry. However, EU countries
higher risk of losing their jobs, hindered access to often do not guarantee migrants equal safety
legal assistance or medical care, difficulties in conditions as those experienced by nationals.
Recently, media have widely reported about the
7new regulation of the German government outside the state’s control and the support system confirming that German food producers will not (Gushulak and McPearson 2006). be obliged to cover social security benefits of As of today, we may argue that, overall, the short-term migrants, which puts this category of eruption of the Covid-19 epidemic has created labourers at a high health risk (the Guardian additional sources of vulnerability for Ukrainian 16.04.2020). The Portuguese government’s migrants working in Poland, albeit so far not decision to grant provisional citizenships rights to dramatically. This is due to the fact that Ukrainian all migrants and asylum-seekers in the legalisation migrants either work in sectors that still have not procedure, to ensure they have access to health experienced an economic downturn, or they care, is one of very few examples of providing moved to the sectors that have started booming immigrants with a more complex offer. because of the lockdown like outdoor trade, It is very problematic to look at the historic transport or logistics. Nevertheless, the media are analogies that could at least give some hints to reporting many cases of bankruptcy or closing of forecast how Covid-19 may affect immigration in businesses where migrants used to work. the longer term. The speed of the spreading of the Particularly vulnerable are migrants working in Covid-19 epidemic and the far-reaching construction or domestic care (Gazeta Prawna restrictions on mobility adopted by governments 25.03.2020; Onet.pl 28.03.2020). It is also too makes the exiting literature, both the theoretical early to assess whether and to what extent female and empirical ones, only partially relevant to study migrants are more prone to lose their jobs due to the case of Ukrainian migration in Poland. Since a the Covid-19 mobility constraints, particularly majority of the epidemics studied so far occurred those employed in household-related services. in the countries of global ‘South’, the publications Overall, it appears quite realistic that if have mainly taken the perspective of sending restrictions to mobility continue, it may cease states. Several studies conducted in Africa, but circular migration, and a large number of migrants also in countries of the global ‘North’ to which may be confronted with the question whether migrants from epidemic-affected countries they are prepared for a permanent migration to travelled, demonstrated the occurrence of a Poland. widespread securitisation of migrants, as well as a The Ukrainian community in Poland is quite rise in xenophobia. They have also reported cases diverse, with varying access to the information of temporary migrants being “stuck”, either in and the types of information sources they use. their country of origin or in destination countries However, most Ukrainians stay within ethnic which deprived them of possibilities of earning a social networks and receive information through living. Vulnerable migrants were also more prone them (Kindler & Wójcikowska-Baniak 2018). A to fall into irregularity or semi-legality; they also preliminary analysis of the Ukrainian social media often fall victim to abuses by intermediaries or sources, conducted by the author in March this employers (Peak 2018, Onoma 2016). The articles year, has shown that Ukrainian were most related to the SARS and HIV epidemics also argued severely concerned in the first two weeks after that migrants may be potentially more at risk of the epidemic reached Poland. In particular, it getting infected, because some of them live pertained to the decision of the Polish authorities 8
to close the borders as of March 15, which was So far, the “riskiest” space for Ukrainian migrants followed by the analogous pronouncement of the is the Polish-Ukrainian border. The queues Ukrainian authorities. The decisions of both remained long after the initial decision by both governments were not coordinated, and the governments to close the border. Apart from relevant information campaigns lacked clarity, special transport organised by the Polish and therefore causing widespread anxiety. Some Ukrainian governments, as well as local migrants were afraid they would not be able to authorities, no public transport has been return to the home country, some were not sure operating at this border. The pedestrian border whether they would able to extend the permits crossing point is not available either. enabling them to further stay and work in Poland. Nevertheless, many migrants wishing to cross the Initially, on March 13, the Polish Border Guard border gathered there and tried to catch private issued a statement informing that they would not cars to depart for Ukraine. Travelers often did not be punishing foreigners for extending their legal possess personal protection means. The longest period of stay. However, all decisions would be queues, totaling 30-40 hours, were reported at made on an individual basis. This communication the end of March. According to the press release was supplemented on March 18 by the decision of prepared by the Polish Ombudsman office, while the Office for Foreigners that foreigners who on the 26th of March 4,000 persons went through could not leave Poland, could ask for the border checks at the Hrebenne border crossing prolongation of stay by sending the relevant letter point, the next day this number rose to 9,000 (RPO via post. Finally, the automatic extension of the 01.04.2020). Since March 28th new regulations residence permits and visas happened at the further restricting operation of the border beginning of April. Those provisions are included crossing points at the Ukrainian section of the in the “anti-crisis shield” put forward by the Polish border entered into force. government. There were, however, two versions According to the data of Ukrainian border guards of the crisis legislation pertaining to foreigners. as of April 7th, as many as 145,000 Ukrainian Initial provisions adopted at the end of March, migrants have returned from Poland since the which applied only to long-term migrants, were outbreak of the Covid-19 epidemic (IOM 2020). expanded on April 7. Currently, they cover Since April 7th, only two border crossing points foreigners who as of March 14 were staying in operate at the Polish-Ukrainians border, and all Poland based on: all types of residence permits, travelers who return to Ukraine are subject to a Schengen visas, national visas, visa-free regime, compulsory 14-day quarantine. I hypothesize that but also visas and residence permits issued by most likely all those barriers efficiently limited other EU member states. New provisions also possibilities for Ukrainian migrants to leave pertain to foreigners who remain in the asylum Poland, and the current dynamics of outward procedure. All those categories of foreigners can migration is smaller than the initial one. On the stay in Poland to up 30 days after the end of the other hand, some migrants wish to return back to state of epidemiological threat (Chancellery of Poland, which may actually be possible since Prime Minister of Poland 2020). media are reporting that Polish government is in 9
the process of reopening Polish consulates that far-right parties and organisations. However, would issue labour visas. everyday ethnic-based discrimination and hate The data presented above allows us to argue that speech prevalence as well as hate crimes rate the pre-COVID modes and patterns of Ukrainian appear to be much higher than those recorded by migration in Poland (apart from circular migration, the official sources. According to the study which is hampered) remain in force. The most conducted in 2019 by ODIHR and the important factor that may further influence them Ombudsman’s Office, around 18% of Ukrainians is the long-term condition of both the Polish and living in Poland reported that they had Ukrainian economy and their respective labour experienced ethnic-based violence (ODIHR/RPO markets. Nevertheless, many migrants left Poland 2019). already and it requires further investigation So far, it appears that both “economisation” and whether they plan to return at all. “securitsation” approaches were also present in When it comes to the public and political the first phase of the Covid-19 epidemic. narratives in Poland that have accompanied the However, the economic justification of looking at Ukrainian migrants so far, they also appear to be the Ukrainian migrants foremost as foreign a continuation of previous discourses and social workers seems to dominate. The securitisation perceptions. The underdeveloped border used to moves (by which we understand discourses, be one of the weakest points of Polish-Ukrainian practices and other intersubjective artefacts relations – the Covid-19 related restrictions only applied to justify that a certain issue is an perpetuated the existing imbalance. When it extraordinary problem that requires special comes to the public discourse in Poland, Ukrainian measures) introduced in Poland pertain to the migration after 2014 was trapped between general population, rather than to migrants. “economisation” and “securitisation” discursive Those moves include among others overall narratives. We are currently investigating this restrictions on human movements, the wide- case in a National Science Centre financed project spread application of surveillance techniques, “Securitisation (de-securitisation) of migration on usage of army for civilian purposes and others. On the example of Ukrainian migration to Poland and the other hand, some hard-right politicians, internal migration in Ukraine” being run at the including an official candidate for a president (for Centre of Migration Research (CMR), University of the Confederation) have stated that in light of the Warsaw. Overall, regardless of the unprecedented Covid-19 crisis, the Polish government should scale of Ukrainian mobility to Poland after the close immigration channels to Poland, as this may Russian aggression against Ukraine, Ukrainian threaten Poland’s economy and social cohesion migrants were not depicted in the public (Kresy.pl, 27.03.2020). It is certainly premature to discourse as a threat to security in 2014-2019. argue whether this trend will remain stable. We Moreover, the Polish authorities implemented still do not know which phase of Covid-19 we are many provisions aiming at rendering this labour in, whether it is already a mobilisation phase mobility to Poland as frictionless as possible. (where a whole range of various extraordinary There were largely no explicit ‘speech acts’ discursive methods and practices are used), or directed against Ukrainians in Poland apart from whether we are just in an identification phase. 10
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Suggested citation: Jaroszewicz, M. 2020, Ukrainian migrants in Poland and the Covid-19 epidemic: problems at the
border, economisation versus securitisation?, CMR Spotlight, 12(18), 7-11.
sential hands for work, CMR Spotlight, 12(18), 2-8.
Dr Marta Jaroszewicz
Assistant professor at CMR where she holds a position of principal investigator in National Science
Centre’s-funded project project “Securitisation (de-securitisation) of migration on the example of
Ukrainian migration to Poland and internal migration in Ukraine”.
11Coronavirus test for Ukraine: mobility restrictions, IDPs and social payments Kateryna Krakhmalova Introduction at the all-state level. In the Ukrainian legal system While Ukraine, as the majority of countries in the the “emergency situation” differs from the “state world, tries to implement policies which would of emergency”, both in terms of its main contain the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic and addressees, mechanism and consequences for the shield the most vulnerable groups, it in addition population: the former relates to the functioning faces challenges of the ongoing war and resulting of the state civil protection system and aims to mass internal displacement on its territory. The achieve better coordination between different epidemic exacerbates all the social hardships that levels and power-holders involved in it. The latter, displaced people have already been facing. It also the “state of emergency” would be much more makes the decisions to close the borders and limiting in terms of interference in the rights and checkpoints more difficult to reach and freedoms and requires a different procedure for implement: part of the external border with its introduction. It is also worth mentioning that Russia is uncontrolled and therefore cannot be while introducing the measures, state officials closed effectively. At the same time, closing the were trying to reach out to and explain their internal checkpoints between the controlled by meaning to the public via several communication the government and uncontrolled territories channels (in print, video, Facebook), both to a inevitably leads to questions of how it would more general audience and specific target groups, affect the internally displaced persons, some of like entrepreneurs (for whom a special platform whom have been, by virtue of a legislative was created). solution, forcefully mobile. The evolution of the measures taken in response All-state mobilization as the context of the to the spread of the coronavirus may be best measures taken followed when conducting an analysis at the level The response of the Ukrainian state to Covid-19 of legal acts: from the first decision of the State may, arguably, in general be characterized as Commission on Technogenic-Ecological Safety gradual, relatively open in terms of information- and Emergency Situations to more and more sharing with the public, and based on the less restrictive Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine restrictive alternatives in terms of the chosen resolutions on 12th, 17th , 26th and 31st of March applicable legal solutions. and on 6th of April, and two respective laws, Currently, an “emergency situation” has been discussed in detail in the next section. introduced in Ukraine (until 24th of April 2020) Mobility restrictions, IDPs and social payments which has been declared at first at the local level, Amidst the mobilization to fight the epidemic, in places where ill people have been identified and Ukraine, similarly to the rest of the world, began more mobilization was necessary, and only then to close borders and other checkpoints. On 14th 12
of March the Order on temporarily limited certificate cannot be cancelled and operations on crossing of the state border was adopted (which the IDP’s bank account cannot be stopped even if together with similar measures taken by other the displaced person would be absent in the place countries has caused turmoil for the Ukrainian of residence for more than 60 days, has returned migrants returning home) and temporarily to the uncontrolled territory or there is no stopped the crossing of the checkpoints with the possibility of physical identification of the person occupied Crimea (with a few exceptions). In in the bank. These rules have to apply for the addition, already from March 7th, movement on period of limitations or quarantine connected the checkpoints between the uncontrolled and with spread of the Covid-19 and during the next controlled territories of Ukraine in Donbas has 30 days after its end/cancellation. Therefore, the been limited due to fears of the coronavirus final closing of the checkpoints in Donbas, from spreading. the Ukrainian side and by the so-called “Doneck The reason why closing of the checkpoints put the People’s Republic” and “Luhansk People’s internally displaced persons in a very difficult Republic” after this law has already not changed situation is twofold. First, they have already been much in the matter of social payments. more dependent on the state social benefits and Additionally, the newest Ukrainian socio- payments (including pensions) than the rest of the economic support legislation in connection with population, because the group of IDPs is made up the coronavirus illness – the Law No. 540-IX (in predominantly of children, the elderly and force on 2nd April 2020), restated that there will women. It is also more difficult for IDPs to find be no factual checks of place of residence of the employment. It was possible for them to travel to internally displaced persons and no certificates of the uncontrolled territories from time to time, but material and living conditions of IDPs’ families all social payments (including pensions) were paid would be necessary. All types of social benefits out only on the territory controlled by the granted before the quarantine or limiting government of Ukraine. Absence from it for a measures in connection with coronavirus illness certain period of time could cause losing the will continue to be paid out - during the whole payments. This is why in the “normal” situation time of quarantine and anti-epidemic measures many of the internally displaced persons were, in and 30 days after its/their end. fact, regularly travelling between the controlled Therefore, based on the available information, it and uncontrolled territories. appears that obstacles to IDPs’ access to social Closing of/restrictions on crossing the checkpoints benefits posed by the anti-epidemic closures of were thus met with the civil society’s resistance: check points have been successfully (and with at least on two instances, on 14th and 17th of active IDPs involvement) resolved in legislation for March NGOs issued petitions on the matter. On the period of the epidemic. They became one of 17th of March the Law „On Introducing Changes the vulnerable groups for whom special solutions to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine, Aimed at have been foreseen. However, these solutions are Prevention of Appearance and Spread of only temporary and after the end of the Coronavirus Illness (Covid-19)” was adopted. Its emergency situation the core structural problems provisions foresee, inter alia, that the IDP with the provision of the social benefits to the 13
internally displaced persons still have to be available at https://sme.gov.ua/covid19/ , as accessed
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This text was based on the research conducted within the National Science Centre’s, Poland, Project nr UMO-
2018/31/B/HS5/01607 (OPUS 16) “Securitisation (de-securitisation) of migration on the example of Ukrainian migration
to Poland and internal migration in Ukraine”, which is being carried out at Centre of Migration Research (CMR), Warsaw
University.
Suggested citation: Krakhmalova, K. 2020, Coronavirus test for Ukraine: mobility restrictions, IDPs and social payments,
CMR Spotlight, 12(18), 12-15.
sential hands for work, CMR Spotlight, 12(18), 2-8.
Kateryna Krakhmalova
LL.M., PhD, Ukrainian lecturer, lawyer and researcher, currently working as postdoc research
fellow/co-investigator at the CMR.
15Transnational e-Easter at the time of pandemic. The case study of the Polish Roma families in Poland and abroad Kamila Fiałkowska, Michał P. Garapich, Ignacy Jóźwiak, Elżbieta Mirga-Wójtowicz, Sonia Styrkacz, Monika Szewczyk Introduction: pandemics, community life and the “Transnational lives of Polish Roma” a cyberspace research project undertaken at the Centre of Historically speaking, epidemics and pandemics Migration Research. In the following short piece, have always impacted culture, the economy, which is a teaser for an upcoming research paper, modes of governance and – since the association we analyse the online practices accompanying of the disease with death – religion. In this Easter celebrations under the Covid-19 pandemic. respect, Covid-19 appears as no different than for As the project is devoted to Polish Roma (and instance the mediaeval Black Death which has three of us identify as Roma), we focus on that been deeply imprinted in the collective European group noting that: first, one needs to bare in mind memory (Bedyński 2020; Goudsblom 1986). It is that this group is by no means homogenous; therefore not surprising that among thousands of second, these kinds of actions and performances images from the coronavirus-hit world, there are are not limited to Roma. Nevertheless we claim also those of religious ceremonies: live streamed that in time of increased uncertainty, everyday prayers, the Pope delivering Angelus on an empty references to mortality and potential rupture of square in the Vatican City, sanitation workers on social bonds due to lockdowns restrictions on the empty Grand Mosque square in Mecca, mobility and physical contact, these online Orthodox Jews standing two metres apart at their interactions become more imperative and are prayers by the Western Wall in Jerusalem, icons increasingly used to maintain Roma culture, covered with cloths to prevent them from being language and identity in the migratory and kissed, and countless other examples (also from transnational context. the non-Biblical religions). Following Carol Silverman’s study on adopting the The epidemics also reshape family and community use of modern means of communications by life and everyday practices. Under the Covid-19 Roma in order to transgress the dominant culture pandemic, social (inter-household) relations have and maintain the minority one (Silverman 1988), almost entirely switched to online mode. That was we point to the ways culture is maintained and the case with the Easter and Passover celebrated transformed with the use of new technologies. in April 2020. Social media blossomed with The broader point links with modernity driven pictures and screen-shots of distant gatherings transnational being and maintaining group ties and various forms of “digital kinning” (Baldassar on-line that strengthens, not weakens certain and Wilding 2020). It is quite likely that some of traditional codes of behaviour and meaning our readers also took part in these kinds of family making practices. meetings. Below, we present initial findings from 16
The use of internet and communication platforms Polish Roma. It enables the maintaining of regular
has long been recognized as key to maintain contact with relatives, meeting potential spouses
transnational social fields in which migrants and and serves as a means of social control regarding
their families and friends interact. The current traditional, common-law code of conduct
lock-down has turned them into a kind of global (romanipen). It is also the space for an unbound
trend-setters in this respect. What is novel to the use of the Romani language. Incomprehensible for
non-migrant global majority, had long been the the non-Roma, it contributes to the creation of
norm among the migrants and their kin (Baldassar online safe-spaces for the minority. Names of
and Krzyzowski 2020). So has been the case with particular applications, mesendżeris, fejsbukos,
Polish Roma communities in the UK and Germany. skejpos, wotsapos, have long settled into the
Polish Roma and the internet, “at home” and Romani language. Rituals due to important live
“abroad” events (baptisms, weddings, feasts, funerals) or
Cyberspace is an important, or rather the main calendar celebrations (All Saints, Christmas,
communication platform for Roma leaders and Easter) are very often shot, live-streamed and
celebrities who want to reach Polish Roma in shared on social media and thematic internet
Poland and abroad. We identify several persons
(all of them males in their 50s - 60s) who can be
described as Roma leaders and celebrities
particularly active on that front. They very often
combine their roles of community leaders, moral
authorities and NGO leaders and (in at least one
case) policy advisors to the state administration,
with a career in entertainment and sport. One of
them (to secure his anonymity, let us refer to him
as The Celebrity) is particularly active on social
media, building his position not only as a Roma
leader but also an intermediary between Roma
and non-Roma (Gadje) in Poland. The Celebrity
combines his stage charisma with policy advising
which makes him a popular (though controversial
and not necessarily admired by everyone) figure
among Polish Roma in Poland as well as in
England, Sweden and Germany. Aiming at both
Roma and non-Roma, he manages to
simultaneously perform his message as a kind of
“respectful elder” of the Roma community and
"Keep calm and stay home" – says this sign published on
also a noble citizen and religious Pole. Facebook by the Aresel organization from
The internet is a vital space of communication and Romania. ©Aresel
social/family life for migrating and non-migrating
17forums. Food consumption among relatives and In general, since the pandemic outbreak, the
friends is an important part of Roma culture as it streaming of feasts has gradually declined and
reinforces group solidarity, family structure and been replaced by other forms of activity such as
hierarchy. Due to the popular practice of live competitions, nominations and challenges. The
streaming of feasts, it is also a way to show other words nominineł, nomininaw, czelendżos and
Roma (in Poland, UK and other countries) that czelendżo have quickly settled into the Romani
everything during the ritual goes according to the language becoming highly popular in online
custom; an appropriate quality and quantity of activity. In one of the short movies, we can see a
food and drinks is placed on the table, proper Roma man from Cracow send greetings to his
toasts are made, traditional music is played, men family in Poland, UK and Germany. He also
and women are dressed properly – and also that nominates his online peers to toast to the end of
people behave themselves. The presence of all koronawirusos. This task was performed mostly by
these elements in place, live streamed to men, however women could also be observed
numerous Roma households through Facebook filming or assisting in the language, for example in
between England, Germany and Poland is a way to finding the Romani equivalents of Polish and
strengthen the groups bonds, but also, to English words related to social media.
demonstrate mutual respect. The pandemic related online activities of Polish
Following the coronavirus outbreak, Polish Roma Roma, also demonstrate a subtle, but visible, shift
leaders supported the #stayhome campaign, in gender dynamics of the usage of social media,
encouraging everyone to follow the instructions particularly Facebook. Broadly speaking, among
of doctors and the authorities. All of them conservative Roma, Facebook is regarded as
retreated from any meetings and non-internet mainly a platform for findings partners for
public activity. The Celebrity launched a fund- amorous relationships and in a patriarchal family
raising campaign to support public institutions. structure, female use of Facebook is sometimes
This campaign was to show (or perhaps break the condemned on moral grounds as wrong. This
stereotype of Roma as a recipient of social resulted in many women actually hiding their
welfare) that the Roma can contribute to the online presence. We find that currently, females
nation-wide cause instead of being dependant on are less shy about their Facebook usage, as if the
the state (i.e. ethnic majority) support. Another importance of social media in maintaining social
leader (The Musician) started to sell his stage- bonds in times of crisis overrides any gender
clothes and musical instruments to raise funds for inequality in that respect.
the hospitals. It was also The Celebrity, who Online celebrations and festivals
started popular “nominations” on social media., The International Romani Day is celebrated world-
where the nominees were asked to sing songs or wide every year on the 8th of April and Easter (this
play music. Nominations were launched before year celebrated by Catholic and Protestant
Easter celebrations and continued ever since. churches on the 12th and 13th of April) contributed
They were picked-up by professional musicians to the general festive atmosphere. This festivity
and amateurs alike. though, even if apparently joyful, was supressed
by the forced immobility, grief and anxiety
18deriving from the contradiction between the state cousins living in and calling from two towns in of exception and the attempts to live the usual England and two towns in Poland. The way. In our ongoing observation of the online atmosphere was festive and familiar. There were activities of Roma families, we found that both jokes, toasts and the showing and sending of old men and women picked up public online pictures. Some people sang and danced; one challenges related to food preparation. Female cousin played the accordion. Another cousin was nominees where baking cakes and other sweet simultaneously present on three different calls snacks while men were encouraged to make using two telephones and one computer. After a dumplings. The dumpling challenge was while, the older generation left the video-call introduced between Roma families living in leaving more freedom to the younger generation. Poland and in the UK. In one of the movies, a man One of the aunties kept dropping by in order to in his forties living in England can be seen making check if everything was fine. Another auntie the so called Russian dumplings (pierogi ruskie) – appeared for “inspection” and suggested that it one of the most popular Polish dishes. The man is was late and that the call could be continued the wearing a traditional Tatra-highlander hat (which next day. It is to be stressed that these kinds of points to part of his family’s origin from Podhale video-calls are not a new phenomenon in my region in the south of Poland), chef's apron and family. What is new is the online meeting around rubber gloves (supposedly contributing to the the table. It was for the first time in my life that we safety measures under the pandemic). The didn’t visit each other for Easter. It was a performance was filmed by his wife who was also conscious isolation driven by the fear of the giving him some practical tips with music playing disease. It is quite common among the Roma to in the background. In another movie, a young man fear diseases and hospitals. And this fear made in Cracow, who used to live in England, made them stay home. dumplings accompanied by his daughter who was Conclusions also responsible for filming. In both cases, the Obviously, these kind of activities have been people involved were mixing Romani and Polish present over the years but we argue they seem to languages. These kinds of live streams and videos gain additional strength caused by the pandemic serve as a message sent to friends and relatives, and subsequent rules of social distancing and showing that “we” are fine, healthy and that “we” lockdowns. They are characteristic not only for the stay at home and you should to. As stated in the Roma, and they are not limited to transnational introduction, the whole world (or at least the communities as people living in the same town parts which honour Easter) celebrated distant, and people living in other countries have turned online festivities. It was also our experience and equally distant (and in online communication the presumably some of our readers had similar ones. time zone appears more crucial than the physical Below, we would like to portray the Easter Sunday distance). What can be observed among the Roma experienced by one of us. For this particular part, families we interact with, is the need to create an let us switch into first person narrative. own niche and safe space for languages and The family meeting took place in the form of a customs. The internet enables to stay in contact video-call and was attended by my aunts and with the loved ones and to maintain language and 19
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